Practical Nursing

Originally started in 1971, Vance-Granville Community College´s Practical Nursing Program has seen many changes over the years. With the inception of the ADN Program in 1983, Practical Nursing students were side by side with ADN students exiting to take the licensure exam after the 4th quarter. With the conversion to the semester system, this 'exit' point was lost and so was the PN program. But in 1998, a separate and independent Practical Nursing Program was re-established. In 2003, the Practical Nursing Program was approved to double its capacity to 40 students per year. The Practical Nursing Program prepares graduates to assume the roles of provider of care and member within the discipline of nursing according to the guidelines of the scope of practice for the Licensed Practical Nurse in North Carolina.

Courses are taught by a team of instructors using a variety of teaching strategies in order to meet the learning needs of all our students. Classes are often designed with small group work, hands on practice, and discussion groups. All nursing courses are blackboard enhanced with web-enhanced components. In the fall of 2006 VGCC opened a state-of-the-art Simulation Center for the Health Sciences department. The faculty believes that simulation is an excellent way to present patient care learning opportunities in a realistic clinical setting. It provides the student with the chance to "think" on their feet" in a non-stressful environment thus developing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The program is a three semester program with each semester building on the previous in which students are expected to apply previously learned material culminating with a focused care client clinical opportunity in the last and final semester. This experience is geared to help the student with transition into practice. At the conclusion of the three semesters, the students are eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX-PN.

Program Outcomes

The graduate will function within the legal boundaries of licensed practical nursing practice, and will accept responsibility for individual nursing actions, competence and behavior.

The graduate will communicate effectively with the client, family, and interdisciplinary team verbally and through written documentation, including the use of informatics.

The graduate will collect data from relevant sources regarding the five variables (physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual) of the client’s life according to structured guidelines.

The graduate will participate in planning client care by utilizing critical thinking, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, delegation and prioritization for review by the Registered Nurse.*

The graduate, as a client advocate, will safely implement nursing care according to the established plan of care or as assigned by the Registered Nurse.*

The graduate will participate in the evaluation of the plan of care with the Registered Nurse.*

The graduate will provide accurate and consistent information and guidance to clients according to established teaching plan/protocol.

*Registered Nurse or other person (s) authorized by law (GS 90-171.20)